Mum, why do adults feel overwhelmed? - A look behind the scenes
Children often ask questions that make adults think. The question "Mum, why do adults feel overwhelmed?" affects many families. Adults experience a variety of stresses that push them to the limits of their strength. Excessive demands and stress have long since become familiar companions. In this article, we shed light on why this is the case, what the signs are and how parents can deal with their everyday lives in a relaxed manner.
Many parents report that they know the feeling of having more tasks than time. Anna, a mum of two, says: "After a long day at work, I often don't have the energy to be fully available for my family." Tom, a father working from home, adds: "Being constantly available doesn't really bring the working day to a close." And Maria, who is a single parent, says: "Shouldering the responsibility alone sometimes makes me feel really helpless." These examples show typical facets of excessive demands.
What does excessive demands on adults actually mean?
Overload occurs when the demands of work, family or social life exceed personal resources. Adults then often feel tired, restless or even internally tense[1]. Complex and varied everyday tasks can favour such conditions. One example: Lisa reports that during the pandemic she often felt like she "had to play all the roles at the same time - the good employee, the perfect mum and the partner who never complains."
Typical symptoms include difficulty concentrating, sleep problems or the feeling of losing track of things. These physical and psychological signals indicate that the body is asking for rest[2]. Parents are often unable to address this openly because they are worried about being a burden to others. This sometimes creates a cycle that further increases the stress.
Mum, why do adults feel overwhelmed? - Causes in everyday life
The causes are manifold and vary from person to person. Three examples illustrate this:
1. professional pressure: Michael, a project manager, experiences a lot of stress due to tight deadlines and changing priorities. He says: "I'm often working late into the night to get everything done on time."
2. family responsibilities: Katrin juggles between work, childcare and housework. "I don't have much time for myself," she says, "it takes a toll on my mood."
3. social and emotional stress: Jan worries about his sick mother and feels torn between his duties and his own recovery.
The more responsibilities someone has, the greater the risk of excessive demands. This is why many parents and professionals experience permanent exhaustion, which in the worst case can even develop into burnout[4][6].
Practical tips to combat the feeling of being overwhelmed
So that questions like "Mum, why do adults feel overwhelmed?" do not become a constant companion, parents can try out the following ideas:
- Set priorities: Parents should realise which tasks are really important and where they can say "no".
- Plan breaks and relaxation: Even short breaks help to recharge your batteries and reduce stress.
- Seek support: Talk to your partner, family or friends about your stresses and strains. Sometimes a little help in everyday life can provide a lot of relief.
- Take your own needs seriously: Adults often forget to look after themselves. Regular exercise, a healthy diet and sufficient sleep have a positive effect.
These tips can help parents to cope better with everyday life and ensure more balance in the long term.
BEST PRACTICE for parents and teachers In my work, many parents report how they recharge their batteries by consciously "switching off" after work. Small rituals such as a walk with the children or a short meditation are important moments to let go mentally and reduce emotional stress. These exercises also help to show the children how to deal with stress.
Mum, why do adults feel overwhelmed? - How can KIKIDZ provide support?
Dealing with this question is an important building block for a healthy family life. The programme of KIKIDZ offers parents and children a valuable opportunity to learn how to deal with stress and excessive demands. It creates greater awareness of inner processes and teaches strategies that can take the pressure off everyday family life.
Many parents have reported that the training courses at KIKIDZ have given them new ideas for dealing with their own challenges and children's issues. This has noticeably relaxed everyday family life and strengthened mutual understanding.
My analysis
The question "Mum, why do adults feel overwhelmed?" seems simple at first glance, but it is profound. Overload is caused by an imbalance between demands and one's own resources. Adults experience a variety of stresses that can have a physical and psychological impact. Through conscious self-care, clear priorities and targeted support, these challenges can often be better managed. Programmes such as KIKIDZ offer valuable help to make families more capable and emotionally balanced.
Further links from the text above:
Excessive demands - LIBERMENTA Clinics
Nervous breakdown - AOK Sachsen-Anhalt
How to recognise the body's warning signs of stress - AOK
Overloading - what you should know
Exhaustion depression: causes, symptoms and treatment
Burnout and chronic fatigue syndrome MEDICLIN Deister-Weser Clinics
Silent burnout - recognising symptoms and warning signs
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